Train operator Norfolk Southern said Monday that crews in East Palestine, Ohio, had successfully completed a controlled release of hazardous chemicals from five rail cars after a freight train derailed.
The compromised rail cars posed a significant threat to safety, with Gov. Mike DeWine saying on Sunday there was “the potential of a catastrophic tanker failure” if crews didn’t intervene to manually vent the cars.
The controlled release of vinyl chloride from the compromised rail cars was due to begin at around 3:30 p.m. local time, according to an update from DeWine on Monday.
An evacuation was ordered for a one-mile by two-mile area surrounding East Palestine. The governor directed people to more information on his website; the site was down as of press time….